Culture Club · Kissing to Be Clever, 1982
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
12 sourced items across 3 sectionsVerified1Reported10Inferred1
What the sources do and do not say
One Mix Classic Tracks article on this song, mostly Steve Levine's recollections plus Moayeri's narrative. Vocal chain details (U 87, MCI preamp, dbx units, AMS, Space Echo) are narrative, so reported. The dbx 160/165 are alternatives depending on availability. Guitar and bass gear are not named.
Lead vocal
10 items
Boy George
Microphone
The real chain
Neumann U 87
Reported
Neumann U 87 used for Boy George's lead vocals on this song.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.
Input chain
The real chain
MCI JH542B
Reported
Studio console at Red Bus; its microphone preamp took the lead vocal from the U 87.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Metric Halo MBSI Channel Strip
channel strip
Models the channel strip of a custom MCI desk at Criteria Studios from the same years; it is the same maker's sound but not a JH-500.
The real chain
dbx 160
Reported
One of two dbx compressors (160 or 165, whichever the racks had free) used on the lead vocal.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter
compressor
Made with dbx as a model of the original 160.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter (Made with dbx as a model of the original 160)
The real chain
dbx 165
Reported
One of two dbx compressors (160 or 165, whichever the racks had free) used on the lead vocal.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Universal Audio dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter
compressor
Models the dbx 160, an earlier relative. It gives the dbx style of compression, not this unit.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter (Models the dbx 160, an earlier relative. It gives the dbx style of compression, not this unit)
Mix effects
The real chain
dbx 900 rack
Reported
Compressed the lead vocal at times during the mix, alongside de-essers.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. A rack frame that holds dbx modules. The source does not say which modules were fitted.
The real chain
AMS DMX 1580
Reported
Named among Levine's AMS units for reverb-type effects at the mix, described as a stereo wobbly-pitch sound.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio AMS DMX Digital Delay & Pitch Shifter
delay
A model of the AMS DMX 15-80 S itself, covering its two delay channels and its pitch shifting.
The real chain
Roland Space Echo
Reported
Listed as also used in the vocal mix; the text gives no further detail on how.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Universal Audio Galaxy Tape Echo
delay
Models the Roland RE-201 Space Echo. The source does not say which Space Echo model was used.
The real chain
MCI 30 ips tape machine (model not stated)
Reported
Listed as also used in the vocal mix, described as having a tight head gap; no further detail given.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
tape
Models two Studer machines, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder (Models a Studer A800, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape)
The real chain
Red Bus Echo plates (model not stated)
Reported
Studio echo plates were also used; Levine printed a plate he liked to two tracks because the shared plates might not be free next day.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Soundtoys Little Plate
reverb
A plate reverb, the same method as the studio's echo plates. The source does not name the plates, so it is not a model of them.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator (Models the EMT 140, the standard studio plate of the period. The source does not name the plates, so it is not a model of them for certain)
The real chain
Quantec QRS/L Room Simulator
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: Levine's room simulator; unreliable, but when it worked he always printed its output.
A suggestion, not a documented fact: Steve Levine describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Relab Development Q82 Natural Resonance Reverb
reverb
A model of the 1980s Quantec Room Simulator, built from measurements of original units.
Drum machine
1 item
Instrument
The real chain
Roland CompuRhythm CR-78
Verified
Used on the original demo and still heard in the last fading moments of the finished record, kept for the feel of the demo.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Roland Roland Cloud
instrument
Roland's own subscription, which includes its software version of this drum machine.
Keyboards
1 item
Roy Hay
Instrument
The real chain
Korg Delta
Reported
Supplied the string sound in the keyboard overdubs, with Levine and Hay playing it together to get the pitch bend.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Full Bucket Music Nabla
instrument · free
A free simulation of the Korg Delta DL-50 itself.
Sources
- Classic Tracks: Culture Club's "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me", Mix, 2023-11-10. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.
What the ratings mean
Stated by the engineer, producer or artist, or by the manufacturer.
Stated by a reputable secondary source.
An educated suggestion, not a documented fact.
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